Canadian Media Guild and Canadian Writers Group align to represent freelancers

The Canadian Media Guild (CMG) and the Canadian Writers Group (CWG) have formed an alliance to advocate for freelancers on rates, copyright and digital and re-use rights, it was announced today.Readers of this blog will be familiar with CWG, an agency formed by independent journalist Derek Finkle to represent freelancers. (See earlier posts) It was founded in 2009 and currently represents some 75

Rogers syndication practices called into question by Canadian Writers Group

Derek Finkle who runs the Canadian Writers Group, an agency that represents some of Canada's most successful magazine freelancers, has called into question how one large magazine publisher, Rogers is syndicating articles to third party websites. Essentially it is that magazine articles are being posted on third party websites such as Yahoo and MSN by Rogers despite signed contracts with writers

Boycott of Transcontinental Media titles now promoted by new website

The coalition of Canadian writers' organizations that are promoting a boycott of Transcontinental Media magazines, have launched a website called Bad Writing Contracts. The site is another tool in a kit that includes a blog, a Facebook group and posts on Twitter.

The boycott focuses on a proposed master agreement that Transcontinental is imposing on all freelance writers who work for any of its

Derek Finkle of Canadian Writers Group responds to Marcoux statements

Derek Finkle of the Canadian Writers Group responds to statements by Pierre Marcoux of Transcontinental:1) Marcoux should not have been surprised to learn yesterday that fourteen groups - not just PWAC and CWG - had serious concerns about his company's new Master Author Agreement. The letter sent to Jacqueline Howe back in June that lead to our meeting on July 16, was signed by ten groups, in

Freelancers urged to boycott Transcon mags over refusal to budge on master contract

[This post has been updated] Transcontinental Media has apparently dug its heels in over its proposed master contract, refusing to negotiate with representatives of the freelance community, who as a result are now calling for an "unprecedented" boycott of the company.A press release has been issued that gives detailed background on the dispute and details the organizations that are supporting the

Transcontinental Media said to be prepared to modify controversial freelance contract

Although the other side hasn't been heard from, Masthead reports that Transcontinental Media is prepared to modify or renegotiate its contentious "master" agreement for freelancers. Derek Finkle of the Canadian Writers' Group (CWG), who attended a meeting with senior executives at Transcontinental, said:“We’ve had a closed door discussion in good faith with them, but I don’t mind saying on the

Transcon being pressed by industry reps to change proposed freelance contract

The contentious new "master" agreement that Transcontinental Media is attempting to force all freelance writers to sign has resulted in a meeting with Transcon senior executives. While the meeting itself did not resolve the issue, it may eventually lead to a reconsideration or renegotiation of the terms of the agreement.Derek Finkle of the Canadian Writers Group, David Johnston, the executive